Pellet pistol found at Redfield School

October 26, 2007

A Redfield high school student has been removed from school for having a pellet pistol in his backpack. A teacher inadvertently discovered the spring-activated pistol in the backpack, which the student had left behind at school on Wednesday, said Randy Joyce, superintendent of Redfield School. The teacher opened the backpack to determine its owner, he said. The student never brought out or brandished the gun, Joyce said Thursday. “At no time were other students threatened or in danger,” he said. “But we still take things like this very seriously.” Officials confiscated the pistol, and the school district is working with the Spink County State's Attorney Office and law enforcement to determine whether the gun falls under the definition of a dangerous weapon, Joyce said. That decision will determine what penalties are imposed on the student, he said. The student will remain suspended from school at least until the question of whether the pistol is a dangerous weapon is resolved, he said. Reporter Russ Keen; (605) 622-2317 or 1-800-925-4100 ext. 317; rkeen@aberdeennews.com